Kusal Mendis Elected First President of Sri Lankan Players Association

Colombo, August 8: Kusal Mendis, the captain of the Sri Lankan men’s white-ball cricket team, has been appointed as the first president of the newly established Sri Lankan Professional Cricketers Association (SLPCA). The association aims to serve as an independent and inclusive voice for professional cricketers in the island nation, with strong support from women’s team captain Chamari Athapaththu and all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga.

In a statement released on Saturday, the SLPCA highlighted that its formation comes at a crucial time for Sri Lankan cricket, following ongoing positive developments and reforms in the sport. This includes efforts to strengthen governance and modernize the domestic structure, spearheaded by the Transformation Committee.

The launch of the SLPCA coincides with a significant period of administrative upheaval, as Sri Lanka Cricket undergoes reforms under the government-appointed Transformation Committee.

The statement further emphasized, “Having a genuine, organized voice for players, alongside governance reforms and changes, is a vital step towards a modern, collaborative sport that aligns with international best practices.”

Directly linked to the World Cricketers Association (WCA), the SLPCA connects Sri Lankan players to a global player-advocacy network, alongside organizations like the Australian Cricketers Association and the England Professional Cricketers Association.

On this occasion, Mendis expressed pride in establishing the organization to represent Sri Lankan players during this critical time. “We are ready to collaborate with Sri Lanka Cricket, the Transformation Committee, and other stakeholders. Cricket is progressing. Unlike previous player unions, the SLPCA is led directly by current top players, and it gives equal status to women’s cricket. We have already seen significant progress in Sri Lankan cricket due to the work of the Transformation Committee,” he stated.

Chamari added, “Creating a Players Association is a necessary step. It connects Sri Lankan cricketers with many of our international counterparts in cricket and other sports.”